Chapter 72

Three years later.

Hu City, in front of the Fang family villa.

Yuan Yizhen stood by the car, and after a short while, she saw someone walk out.

Around 1.7 meters tall, slender, in her early twenties, the childishness on her face had completely faded compared to when they first met, her indifferent eyes devoid of any emotion.

Yuan Yizhen stepped forward and called out, “Ms. Ji.”

Ji Yuning nodded slightly. “Mmm.”

“Did you find out anything this time?”

After Yuan Yizhen asked, seeing Ji Yuning’s expression turn cold, she knew that this time had also been fruitless.

For the past three years, Ji Yuning had returned to Hu City from the Beijing every few months, her purpose to ask Fang Maozhou for news about Fang Bai.

Initially, Fang Maozhou had only one answer: he didn’t know. But as Ji Yuning came more and more often, Fang Maozhou had no choice but to tell the truth, saying that he couldn’t contact Fang Bai either.

Yuan Yizhen was silent for a moment. “Perhaps Mr. Fang is telling the truth?”

Fang Maozhou had said that Fang Bai had given him a phone number before she left, but that number had become unreachable a year after Fang Bai left.

Moreover, they had also called that number, but it didn’t connect. They had even investigated Fang Bai’s plane ticket from that year, and it was bought using that number.

A cold smile flashed in Ji Yuning’s eyes.

How could it be true?

With Fang Maozhou’s personality, if he couldn’t contact Fang Bai, would he be this calm now? It was just a bluffing excuse.

Fortunately, Ji Yuning hadn’t expected too much information from Fang Maozhou. Coming to find Fang Maozhou was just grasping at a one-in-ten-thousand chance.

The phone in her pocket rang. Ji Yuning glanced at the caller and quickly answered.

“Any news?” A hint of eager anticipation was in her cold voice.

The person on the other end said respectfully, “Yes, Miss Fang seems to have appeared in New Zealand.”

Ji Yuning’s eyes flickered.

The person on the other end added, “But that was half a month ago.”

“Understood.” Ji Yuning hung up and said to Yuan Yizhen, who was opening the car door for her, “Sister Zhen, book me a plane ticket to New Zealand.”

Yuan Yizhen was taken aback. “Now?”

“Mmm.” After Ji Yuning finished speaking, she showed Yuan Yizhen a smile, her eyes sparkling. “She’s in New Zealand.”

Looking at the smile on Ji Yuning’s face, Yuan Yizhen couldn’t smile; she only felt bitterness.

In the past six months, Ji Yuning had answered three calls from that number, and she had gone to three different countries, but each time, it was a fruitless return.

And the sparkling eyes before departure became dimmer each time she returned.

Yuan Yizhen felt that if this happened a few more times, those eyes might never sparkle again.

Yuan Yizhen still remembered three years ago when she received a call from Ji Yuning. When she arrived at the villa to pick up Ji Yuning, she only saw a small figure squatting in front of the villa, like a homeless person.

She had taken Ji Yuning to the Beijing.

Yuan Yizhen didn’t know what Ji Yuning had discussed with Chairman Lu, only that Ji Yuning had never smiled again since that day.

It wasn’t until half a year ago, after receiving a phone call, unauthorized copythat Yuan Yizhen saw the long-lost smile on Ji Yuning’s face.

Although it was faint, at least there was a human touch, instead of living like a walking corpse, without any vitality.

Ji Yuning had worked hard for more than two years and was finally able to find news about Fang Bai. Yuan Yizhen felt both heartache and admiration.

Regardless of the credibility of the news, Yuan Yizhen smiled and said softly, “I wish you meet Miss Fang.”

The corners of Ji Yuning’s lips curved up. “I will.”

••••

South City.

A silver Mercedes drove out of the airport. After the car had driven for a while, Hao Yingman turned her head to look at the person in the passenger seat, who hadn’t spoken since getting in the car.

It was May, and the woman was wearing a light blue floral dress. The woman seemed to have a strong preference for light colors; the first time they met, the other person was wearing light-colored clothes…

Hao Yingman glanced again. The other person’s hair was pinned up behind her head, elegant and graceful. Noticing her looking, she didn’t say a word but instead looked out the window.

“Ancestor, why aren’t you talking?” Hao Yingman turned off the car music so her voice could reach the other person clearly. “Aren’t you angry with me?”

Fang Bai was amused by Hao Yingman’s address and turned her head to look at the driver’s read the original at bailiantales.comseat, asking, “Why would I be angry with you?”

Seeing Fang Bai smile, Hao Yingman knew she probably wasn’t angry, but she still explained, “Calling you back to the country, delaying your experience of New Zealand’s cultural heritage.”

In plain terms, it was delaying your travel.

Fang Bai raised her eyebrows. “I haven’t experienced South City’s culture either.”

Hao Yingman chuckled. “So considerate, even making up a reason to comfort me.”

“Then why aren’t you talking? Tired? Or hungry?” Hao Yingman asked. Without waiting for Fang Bai’s reply, she said to herself, “Don’t be tired yet, I’m still planning to take you to that restaurant.”

“The one you always talk about?” Fang Bai asked.

Hao Yingman: “You bet! I booked a table when I booked your plane ticket, just so you can taste how delicious it is.”

Hao Yingman had mentioned how delicious that restaurant was countless times in front of her. Now that she could try it, a hint of anticipation rose in Fang Bai’s heart. She smiled and said, “Okay.”

“Really hungry?” Hao Yingman asked.

Fang Bai smiled slightly without speaking.

Turning her head to the window again, Fang Bai’s gaze fell on the scenery flashing [stolen content]by, but her mind wasn’t on it; it had long wandered off.

She wasn’t hungry.

She just felt familiar yet strange after not returning to the country for three years.

If Hao Yingman hadn’t called her for help, Fang Bai felt that returning to the country might have been a distant and uncertain thing for her.

Thinking of this, Fang Bai looked at Hao Yingman again. “The documents? Let me see them.”

She had met Hao Yingman in Italy a year ago. They had first seen each other in a restaurant. Because of their Asian faces, Fang Bai had stepped aside to let the other person pass. The only words they exchanged were Hao Yingman saying thank you.

But after Fang Bai and Hao Yingman ran into each other three more times, they had gone from nodding acquaintances to being able to talk about anything.

Of course, the main reason was that Hao Yingman was a chatterbox, constantly rambling on, which was also why the two, who had separated after the Italy trip, still kept in touch.

“You want to work already? Don’t you want to rest for two days first? Otherwise, I’ll feel really bad.” Even though she said this, Hao Yingman pointed to the bag in the back seat. “It’s in there, get it yourself.”

She didn’t look even a little bit sorry.

Knowing that Hao Yingman didn’t treat her like an outsider, but the first half of the other woman’s sentence was too hypocritical, Fang Bai crossed her arms, her back pressed against the seat. “Too lazy to get it.”

“Hey!” Hao Yingman was amused. “If you’re not worried about a car unauthorized copy accident, I’ll get it for you.”

Threats didn’t work.

Fang Bai chuckled. “Just tell me what it says.”

Hao Yingman thought this was the ancestor she had begged to come, she couldn’t get angry with her, she had to obey.

After mentally preparing herself and organizing the general information in her mind, Hao Yingman said, “I won’t talk about the things I told you before, the rest is…”

Hao Yingman was in the real estate business. Recently, a large company was coming to South City to discuss a partnership, and all the real estate companies in South City were eager to take down this project.

Hao Yingman was the same, but she was more self-aware. She clearly knew that her abilities were insufficient and she might not be able to snatch this piece of fat from the mouths of wolves and tigers.

So she needed an assistant, a helper who could add the finishing touch.

Fang Bai was the first choice.

Hao Yingman had seen Fang Bai negotiate business. It was very different from her usual gentle demeanor, but rather a look of everything being under her control. When faced with difficulties, her sixth sense told Hao Yingman that Fang Bai could help her.

Having made up her mind, Hao Yingman had called Fang Bai to talk about this matter. She had originally thought that communicating over the phone would be enough, but no matter how convenient the internet was, it wasn’t as good as meeting face-to-face.

Three days ago, when talking to Fang Bai on the phone, Hao Yingman ​unauthorized copy​had told Fang Bai that she wanted her to return to the country, but Fang Bai had refused.

Fortunately, Hao Yingman’s greatest strength was her thick skin. After three consecutive days of gentle persuasion, Fang Bai had agreed to come back.

“…That’s pretty much it.” After finishing explaining the existing information, Hao Yingman looked at Fang Bai. “If it weren’t for my dad pressuring me, saying he’d cut off my card if I didn’t get this proposal, I wouldn’t want to trouble you so much.”

Hao Yingman’s skin was thick, but she still felt bad.

Fang Bai smiled faintly. “Haven’t you troubled me enough already?”

It was quite a lot.

Hearing this, Hao Yingman was actually comforted by Fang Bai.

“Then Sister Bai, starting today, you’re my specially hired assistant. If we successfully secure the project, I’ll give you my entire share of the profits.”

Fang Bai raised an eyebrow in surprise, her tone calm. “No need, just give me a salary.”

Hao Yingman said, “Huh? Do you know how much the split could be?”

At least three hundred thousand.

Fang Bai took out a piece of fruit candy from her pocket, tearing the wrapper as she said, “I’m just offering suggestions, you’re the one unauthorized copymaking the decisions. The success of the business depends entirely on your decisions, the split has nothing to do with me.”

Hao Yingman said with a smile, “Tsk, my eyes are really good, I didn’t misjudge you. Sister Bai, you’re so genuine, I’m going to have a couple of drinks with you later.”

“Won’t drink,” Fang Bai said directly.

“Don’t be like that~” Hao Yingman said. “I know you can’t handle alcohol, you drink tea, I’ll drink wine.”

This time Fang Bai didn’t refuse.

Hao Yingman’s mouth couldn’t stop talking, she couldn’t stand the atmosphere being empty. Three minutes later, she said again, “After this project is done, let’s go travel together. I haven’t been out for so long, I’m about to grow mold in that small office.”

Fang Bai nodded. “Where do you want to go?”

“Anywhere is fine,” Hao Yingman said. “But the premise is that my dad hasn’t frozen my card, or you can pay for me first and I’ll pay you back later… or should I transfer some money to you first? That way, even if my dad freezes my card, I’ll still have some money to spend.”

Fang Bai rested her elbow on the window, her cheek propped up by the back of her hand. “Did you call me back to be your bank or to help you?”

“Of course to help!” Hao Yingman continued to express her grievances. “I’m just being cautious, you know? My abilities are average, I really can’t compete with those cunning and shrewd old bosses. I don’t even know what my dad was thinking, entrusting such a big business to me.”

After Hao Yingman finished speaking, she remembered Fang Bai’s words, paused, and asked, “Your family doesn’t happen to own a bank, do they?”

No wonder she’s so rich!

Fang Bai: “…”

Mentioning family, Hao Yingman thought that ever since she had known Fang Bai, she hadn’t heard Fang Bai mention going home. She looked at Fang Bai and asked, “Aren’t you going home to take a look? I remember you saying your home is in Hu City. How about we go back to your place before we travel?”

The smile on Fang Bai’s lips slowly faded. “What would I go home for?”

“Why are you asking that?” Hao Yingman chuckled. “Don’t you miss your family?”

Author’s Note:

Xiao Ji: New Zealand~ New Zealand~ New Zealand~

Aunt Fang: I’m back in the country~

(Why are there still decades left hahaha Xiao Ji is going to be mad!!! And those saying bring wife back, Xiao Ji is so mad she immediately takes out her diary!!!)